|
USPTO Links
|
For more information about applying for a patent, click here.
Searching for Prior Art
The USPTO recommends that business owners conduct a search of all previous public disclosures, which are called "prior art," including previously patented inventions, to determine if their inventions have been publicly disclosed.
You can begin conducting prior art searches on the USPTO Web site or at one of the USPTO's Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs). Because finding all relevant prior art can be difficult, you may also wish to consider hiring a professional search firm.
Access Online Forms
These forms, which can be downloaded from the USPTO Web site, are made available to help guide small businesses through the often-complicated world of intellectual property protection.
|
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080922152819im_/http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/images/spacer.gif) |
![Noteworthy](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080922152819im_/http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/images/headers/homepage_noteworthy.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080922152819im_/http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/images/spacer.gif) |
![Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas addresses participants at the Conference on Intellectual Property in the Global Marketplace in Miami, FL on September 26](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080922152819im_/http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/images/2005sep26miami.jpg)
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas addresses participants at the Conference on Intellectual Property in the Global Marketplace in Miami, FL on September 26
![Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP Steve Pinkos shows a Texas small business audience nearly identical real and fake boat gauges in Austin, Texas on Sep. 12, 2005](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080922152819im_/http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/images/2005sep12austin.jpg)
Former Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for IP Steve Pinkos shows a Texas small business audience nearly identical real and fake boat gauges in Austin, Texas on Sep. 12, 2005
|
|
![Quick Links](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080922152819im_/http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/images/headers/quick_links.gif) |
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20080922152819im_/http://www.uspto.gov/smallbusiness/images/spacer.gif) |
Report IP Theft: 1-866-999-HALT
(1-866-999-4258)
8:30 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m. ET
Monday-Friday
|
|
|